superpilot,

I'm not really sure what your point is regarding seasonality at TOM. All airlines have this issue To a certain extent, however, it has been managed down considerably at TOM over the past few years, in fact the 75/6 is manic year round, the 78 is actually reverse seasonal as most long haul is through the Winter..... only the 73 has the issues you allude to but with 9 aircraft going to Canada every Winter, the days of 3 flights this month are pretty much gone.

One only needs to look at the apron in Man on a Winters night, there can be 10s of aeroplanes mostly jet 2 and TCX... there are very few TOM jets sitting around idly.

You're being overly defensive. My comments were in response to someone highlighting that forced seasonal employment is still going on at TOM. I was simply comparing the situation to TCX which had the same "problems" in the past but clearly not right now as 30+ FOs have just started on a perm basis. I didn't intend for it to become all about TCX! :O

New Joiner Pension
 

Thomson intends to impose a reduction in the employer DC pension contribution rate for new joiners from 15% to 7%. The first group of newstarters to be affected will be joining the airline on 26 February 2015.

I would probably advise all new joiners not to sign the pension document and speak with TOM company council via BALPA to find out what's potentially In the pipeline. I believe the workforce won't stand for this change as it goes against agreements in place.

Your given the pension documents to fill out at a later date so seek that advice first so no rush to sign and potentially lock yourself in.

I'm hoping the jack brigade stands up on this one, it's a necessity imo! If the company can just totally disregard agreements in place as well as the process and promises recently given, then everyone should be completely angered by this as we've basically been duped by their letters....it certainly ruffled my feathers and I support strong action against this.

Wrt to the pension, during my joining process, I was given the documents and had to fill out at home as it requires birth certificates etc so I would use this time wisely to seek council. Incase signing the agreement locks one in or makes it more complicated for the CC to reverse.

For the MON pilots joining TCX - out of the chip pan, into the fire:

Thomas Cook holds secret talks to offload airline arm | The Sunday Times

If you want to fly TCX pax join easy or Thomson.

Easy declined to renew the 2012 deal so not entirely true.

Ultimately all leisure airlines have their days numbered. Might as well join forces and team up now.

Utter crap.

yoeman, have you not noticed how many EZY and RYR flights now fly into and out of the usual bucket and spade destinations? EZY might be able to champion the low cost long haul flight if they can get a headstart by buying the TCX airline (think Europe not just the UK). RYR could buy the TUI group airline :E

Yeah, MOL with his award winning customer service! Getting a loco flight is one thing but a loco RYR holiday, No thanks!

So people fly with EZY/RYR to the likes of TFS, FUE, Kos, Iraklion to visit their relatives do they? They use cheap flights and sort out their own holidays/accommodation, and the trend is increasing dramatically as the air traveller becomes more savvy.

You are correct, of course people book flights with RYR and book their own accom.
You said that RYR could buy TUI and I was amused by the potential of a "RYR package holiday".
RYR are only interested in point to point flying with no strings. Works most of the time, but not for example when you get left down in CFU for a week with all extra expense on the PAX like last summer!!

I agree with YEOMANS reply to your post 117...

Sorry for the thread drift!

So had a notice today to state that Thomson will be recruiting again with the indication of group/personal assessments at the end of September begining of october.

So if your interested give em a look.

What's the chance of them inviting Non Type Rated candidates this time?

Slim at best unfortunately.

TR'd
Summer ONLY and you pay 7K for 'training' ???

Can't hurt to apply tho,

Naaah not on those terms......

For info to prospective joiners, after a spirited campaign from BALPA and the pilot group, our new joiners this year maintained their pensions in line with the rest of the pilot group. It was a great result and showed that even though less than 1% of the pilots were affected, the 99% wouldn't accept it.

Unfortunately this isn't the end of the problem as the company has intentions of reducing new joiner pension provisions over the next few years. How this will pan out is anyone's guess.

The company makes no secret of its problem with seasonality and a new joiner should expect a PPY contract to potentially last for several years, added to this the £7000 one is expected to pay for training (this I find particularly unsavoury) makes TOM not quite the option it once was.

If however, one gets over the £7k and manages to get full time fairly soon then it can still be a good career airline.

Just my opinion, good luck to those who choose to apply later in the year.